The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1887-12-14
SOUTHERN AGRICULTURAL.
Agricultural Legislation.

Agricultural Legislation.
The following paper was read by =.
NJ. Hanna, of Shelby County, N.Y.
before recent meeting OF the Ken
lucky State Institute:
The prosperity of the whole country
is so dependent upon that of the agri-
cultural class that all classes and
every business interest have united in
the enactment of special laws, both
National and State for the encourage
ment and further development OF our
agricultural interest. Hence we have
our department of agriculture, horti-
culture and statistics. our State COL
lege with agricultural department
with experiment station attached. In
every State in the Union, similar
institutions are provided for In
many, the good accomplished by
them, is very apparent, and the
phenomenal development of the ag-
ricultural resources of some of the
States is directly attributed to legis-
la,ive enactment The impression
largely prevails, especially among
farmers of our State, that our depart
ment of agriculture has, to a large
extent, failed TO accomplish the ends
aimed at, and many are in favor OF
abolishing the whole department, and
many, and we believe almost all who
have given the subject the proper
study, are in favor of so amending
the laws governing the departing
as TO make it fully equal to that OF
any other of her sister States. "Why
should Kentucky be laggardP"
We suggest that the time has come
when all the acts Of the General AS
sembly of Kentucky, which bears upon
agriculture, should be revised and
worked into ono harmonious set of
laws. The agricultural work, of geo.
logical survey, of department of ag-
riculture and of State college, can we
believe, be so combined rs to accom-
plish more cheaply and more efficient
ly the ends aimed at. New work can
then be undertaken, and without in
creased cost, our State may take the
position she once occupied among the
progressive States.
70 be more specific, we suggest that
First-The grain and tobacco shows
and the seed distribution based upon
them be discontinued, and that in lieu
of these the results of the experiment
station be made the basis of a judicious
distribution of both seed and informa-
ton.
Second-That the biennial publica-
ton of articles bearing upon the SUBJ
ject of agriculture in book form be dis
continued and in lieu of that, bulletins
be issued at the different seasons of
the year when farmers would most
likely need and appreciate the infor-
nation contained in them. That these
bulletins contain accurate and scien-
titic information, and that they be
sent to every newspaper or journal
published or largely circulation in the
State.
Third-That work distributing in.
formation on the subject of our forests
the best method of preserving and
propagating trces-the effect of for
est upon climate, etc., be undertaken
by the department of agriculture.
Fouuth-That the agricultural work
of the geological survey be taken up
where it was left off, and brought to
some degree of completion.
Fifth-That a board of agriculture
be provided for. composed of seven
members, no two of whom are from
the same congressional district. This
board to have the direction of all the
agricultural work of State.
After lengthy discussion the paper
was referred to committee consist
ing of G. NJ. Hanna. of Shelby; W. w.
Goddard, Of Mercer, Robt. V ance, of
Shelby. The committee reported
favorably up it with the following
additional sug yestions.
l. That our revenue laws should be
amended as to or edit the holder of any
real estate with the amount of len or
mortgage debt.
|, 2, The isolated and unprotected con-
dition of our homes demand that our
Grimm al laws no On on,opdod ,rd nv
ecuted as to secure the speedy and
just punishment of all classes of crimi-
nails. That the laws be freed frois, un-
necessary technicalities, and the right
of premptory challenge of jurors be
reduced to four
The paper as amended was then ap-
proved by the unanimous vote of the
members of the institure.